First half of December

I am sure I could be more creative with my title's but I've got to get caught up so my mind is in business mode. The first part of December was filled with lots of preparation for all the holiday fun in the second half of the month. I took some cute pics of the girls and what they were up to while Mommy was busy baking holiday goodies and Daddy was taking finals.

Kayla and her "animals" watching a show.

Avely trying to escape.

Little cutie pie

This was my favorite! I put Avely in her chair to feed her but then my sister called. While I was making holiday plans on the phone, Kayla took it upon herself to feed Avely. As you can see, Kayla put her "picnic blanket" on Avely's tray and continued to set her place and make her a feast. The best part was that Avely would pick up a piece of food, taste it, and then put it down and move on to try something else. She acted like a little queen. I had a good laugh when I looked over from the living room and saw this!


I also spent a good part of these two weeks working on a quite book page for a swap I did with some MBA spouses. I thought it was great that I would get a whole quiet book but only have to make 12 of the same page (until I started making them that is.) I choose to make a page I remember playing with in my quiet book as a kid. You feed the bear PB and J and then get it out of his zipper tummy. And get this: the fur I used is the same fur my Mom used when she made her book! (Not sure why she still had it after 25+ years but I am glad she did. Thanks Mom!) I think that overall this was easier then making a whole quiet book but it was harder then it looks to make this little guy.

We had some good snowfall in the first of December and every chance Jeremy got he took Kayla out to enjoy.

She loved being pulled on this tube, even though she'd fall of and face plant in the snow!

Warning: This is a long video!

Then, we all built a snowman during Avely's nap. The snow was quite dense and after rolling this packed "middle" Jeremy realized he couldn't pick it up (even with Kayla's help).

Our "snowman" turned into a snow family which Kayla thought was lots of fun.

The Festival of Trees

I don't know how many times we went to "The Festival of Trees" when I was a kid but I remember going quite a few times. We would walk around and pick our favorite tree and then we got to pick a little treat from the shop. So, while living in Utah, I really wanted to go the festival. Jeremy said he thought it sounded fun so the first Saturday of December we headed to Salt Lake.

We walked around and Kayla found her favorite tree, the cookie monster tree.

This is Avely at the beginning of the night.

Then we shared a cinnamon roll and scone. Yum!

After, Kayla decorated her own reindeer antlers and went ice fishing for suckers.
This is Avely at the end of the night. "Take me home!"

All though Jeremy said he wouldn't be go back to the festival of trees again
(it was late and everyone was tired and a little cranking :] ), I really enjoyed it and will always remember the tradition I had growing up.

November 2010

After a busy October, it was nice to quiet things down a little in November. Jeremy was looking forward to his 4 days off school all month. We stayed in Utah for Thanksgiving with my family which included my parents, the 9 kids, Scott and family, and Becky and Jeff who decided last minute to drive down from southern California. It was a fun holiday with food and games as always. Kayla was especially excited to eat turkey and pie.

Avely at 7 months getting ready to go get her 6 month pictures taken. (she had a rash on her face at 6 months so we waited to get her pictures done)

Little Miss Kayla the baker. She loves to help me make dinner on her stool. I think she looks like she is 5 years old in this picture not 2 1/2 years old!

Avely and Daddy time.

Kayla got into this "I need to feed her." kick this month. She likes to feed Avely her baby food (which is a messy affair). Then Kayla tries to feed Avely her bottle but that only lasts a minute or two and then she tries to push Avely off her lap and says "I'm done".

Becky brought some fun games for the kiddos to do on Thanksgiving day which was a lifesaver! Even the adults got in on some of the fun. Jeremy played "Pin the Feather on the Turkey" to show Kayla that it was fun but Kayla still won't have anything to do with that blind fold being put over her eyes.

Yummy!

Just a couple of the many pies I made for our feast.

Jeremy and Kayla on Thanksgiving day 2010. (Aren't they cute?!)